Fire-escape



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

J. ALBION LANV, OF MEREDITH, NEW' YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 31,248, dated January 29, 1861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. ALBION Law, ofA

Meredith, Delawarev county, New York, have invented a new and useful andImproved Fire-Escape Ladder and Safe-Guard; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof and of itsconstruction and mode or manner of operation, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference markedthereon, making a part of this specification.

The general nature of my invention consists in producing a fire escape,which is simple in its arrangement, always ready for emergencies, easyto be applied for use, and which furnishes both a firm and reliableladder for descent and ascent, and also a conductor for conveyingchildren, valuables &c. with safety from burning buildings.

Figure l, is a view of my fire escape secured to a burning building andready for use. Fig. 2, is a side view of the reel supporting the ladder&c., and of the fastenings to attach and support it from the building.Fig. 3 is a view of the foot of the ladder and trough, and showing amethod of fastening it, so as to make the ladder firm. Fig. Il, is aview of the whole, when rolled together, and stowed under a window.

My invention consists of an iron or metallic reel A, the axle a, ofwhich revolves, and

to which are fixed strong hooks B, B, Fig.Y

2, which are so shaped as to clasp over and under any window sill, andthus secure a firm and reliable support for the reel and the variousparts connected to and, with it. As will also be noticed the form ofthese hooks or fastenings is such, that the reel can be quickly andsecurely fastened to any window sill, or to a strong bar placed againstthe inside of the window casings, and that it can be easily so attachedby any person of ordinary intelligence. To the axle of this reel isfixed a ladder C, the sides of which for convenience of rolling willbestbe made of chains, and the rungs c, c, of which may be of strongwire or wire rope, and to the bottom of such ladder are attached stronghooks D, D, Fig. 3, to fasten to staples or rings inserted in the curbH, or to any firm support on the ground. These parts D, D, may howeverbe rings to drop over hooks at the ground, it being only desirable thattheir form should be such as to furnish an easy means of fastening thefoot of the ladder at the ground. To the end of the axle of the reel arefitted the arms E, E, so as to give convenient means to turn it, and itis retained in any desired position by the dog 1, falling into theratchets 2, 2. A similar ratchet wheel and dog may be placed at each endof the reel.

To the ladder C, there is also attached, by strong rings or fasteningscl, d, so that it shall always be connected to the ladder, a strongcanvas bag or tube F, (which may be so saturated with any preparationthat shall render it fire proof) which furnishes a secure and readymeans of conveying from a burning building children, who can not passdown the ladder O, and even grown persons, and also passing downvaluables or goods of any kind.

In the case of fire, or when required for use, it is only necessary tofix the hooks B, B, over a window sill, and let down the ladder, by thearms E, E, down which, (should there not happen to be any one in thestreet or on the ground to fasten the lower end) any person may descend,and place the hooks D, D, in the rings or staples provided for them, orotherwise fasten them, and then the ladder may be made tight and firm byturning the axle A, and placing the dogs in the ratchet wheels. A securemeans of descent is thus quickly provided, and also a means of ascent topersons from below and from outside of the building; helpless children,and fragile articles can also be passed down with safety.

My invention thus provides for every dwelling possessing it a sure meansof escape, and such a one as it is the especial object of all hook andladder companies to provide, and it can be ready for use before even analarm could bring the nearest ladder company to the place of danger; andby being so arranged, that it can be fastened and tightened, it securesa firm and steady pathway of escape for those within the dwelling.

The length of the reel is about the width of the window, but the ladderis only about half that width, so that the ladder and tube may both beused at the same time, and so that there shall be room upon the reel towind both the ladder and the tube. The

.as shown in F ig. 4, or deposited in'sonie convenient place ready foruse, as occasion may require.

I do not claim generally the arrangement of a chain or flexible ladderin combination With a shaft or roller to carry it, vand on which it maybe Wound; nor do I claim attaehing such ladder and roller to or placingit in any part of a building; but

hat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A fire escape ladder, Constructed substan tially as described, sothat it can be secured or made fast at both ends, and strained and heldfirm and tight, for the purposes inentioned.

2. In combination with a ladder so constructed and arranged, the use ofthe bag or tube F, substantially as set forth.

J. ALBION LAIV. lVitnesses S. D. LAW, JOHN I-I. BIRD.

